Ameraucana Forum
The Official Ameraucana Forum => Exhibiting, Promoting & Club Notes => Topic started by: Russ Blair on June 01, 2015, 05:33:52 PM
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Just had someone post on my Face Book page they just placed a ban on poultry shows including fairs today. I am going to try and post it from my phone anyone else heard this? I called our 4-H barn superintendent and he confirmed it????
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http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2015/06/01/michigan-bans-bird-shows-to-prevent-spread-of
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This doesn't make sense, especially when there has not been any confirmed cases? They don't give a time frame from what I saw either? I am not happy right now, this also means no fair and 4-H shows. Now what do I do with 100 meat birds that just shipped?? Looks like chicken for dinner for awhile 😳😳😳
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What is concerning to me is that the announcement did not state an expiration date for the ban. So they are banning bird exhibitions for how long? Forever? Until the end of the year? Somebody within the state needs to follow up on this and get more information. Based on what has been posted there would be no FowlFest show this fall, thus no A.A. national meet unless it is moved to a different venue. But let's not panic - we need to get the details.
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I agree Mike unfortunately most offices are closed at this time so someone will need to make some calls tomorrow 😔
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http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2015/06/01/michigan-bans-poutry-shows-combat-avian-flu/28318895/
Just found this, which states for the remainder of 2015
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The Wisconsin International club members are meeting near the end of June to decide whether to hold their show scheduled for the last weekend of September. Would anyone be interested in taking the A.A. National there if they decide it is a go? The Wisconsin quarantine on the four counties expired May 31st, and there have been no new cases since about May 3rd or 4th.
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I hear you regarding the meat birds, Russ. Luke got his on 5/12 and learned on 5/21 that he wouldn't be showing. He sure is learning a ton, though. Time to make some room in the freezer!
We were really looking forward to an APA show this year - hopefully that flu bug slows down a bit. We've had two more probable cases today and had quite a few last week with new areas affected. The IPA cancelled PT tester training last week, too - figure they must have been busy with other issues. :-\
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I hear ya, Mike, but from what I've seen on some poultry sites and groups, I think there are a bunch of folks who've got Panic Button being constantly pressed.
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Unfortunately I think the big poultry farms are the ones pushing all the panic buttons. All in the name of Big Money, like I said there has been no recorded outbreaks in Michigan. With all the confirmed cases through out the nation you know poultry and poultry product cost will rise. The unaffected Areas and Big Farms are looking to capitalize on this with no regard to any body else. I can travel to make shows unfortunately most 4H kids can not. The local county fair is there only opportunity to get involved in this hobby that's the sad part.
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Unfortunately I think the big poultry farms are the ones pushing all the panic buttons. All in the name of Big Money, like I said there has been no recorded outbreaks in Michigan. With all the confirmed cases through out the nation you know poultry and poultry product cost will rise. The unaffected Areas and Big Farms are looking to capitalize on this with no regard to any body else. I can travel to make shows unfortunately most 4H kids can not. The local county fair is there only opportunity to get involved in this hobby that's the sad part.
Matt Boensch with the Fowl Fest said in an email...
Someone sitting in a chair thinking they need to do something. Big brother at its finest.
I don't like the wording of the press release. The state can't "cancel" private events. The state can "ban" them or make them "illegal".
Everyone who shows knows that its likely that we will bring home an illness from a show at some point. Its the risk we take and we all quarantine our show birds to one extent or another. The exhibition people have nothing to do with the commercial people...
Bill Patterson with the Fowl Fest said in an email...
This state has been anti purebred poultry since I've been in school. I'll bet none of them have ever even attended one of our shows-
If you look at the migratory flyways map you can see that most of Michigan's lower peninsula isn't even included in one. I know birds don't read maps and they still fly thru, but it still puts us in an area with reduced risk.
I believe, at least here in Michigan, this "ban" is all about state government in cahoots with big agricultural businesses and their lobbying groups. They have found an anthill that they can make the public believe is a mountain and use it to further their agenda. They don't want any competition. They don't want "local" produce stands, farmer's markets, a neighbor selling sides of beef or other meat, farm fresh eggs or raw honey sold from your front door, etc. By stopping fanciers from competing in exhibitions and both fanciers and entrepreneurs from selling and buying at swap meets Big Brother is trying keep us under control. Without a real or proven threat to our health I believe the state of Michigan has completely overstepped their authority and infringing on our civil liberties.
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And now Ohio has done the same thing. Along with Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas. So far Illinois and Wisconsin have not banned shows and swaps, but don't hold your breath.
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The East outside of PA, is pretty clear though; so are those neighboring states so it all depends where you are how much this is affecting you. Right now I would say Fayetteville Arkansas was a good call. But of course the Midwest being the farm belt, is getting hit the hardest. So how bout a club show in WV?
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So how bout a club show in WV?
If you and a couple others plan to show at a show there, then you can request a meet by emailing Beth.
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Matt Boensch emailed the Notice of Quarantine this morning. The language is in conflict with the state's press release that was issued the same day and states “...cancel all 2015 poultry and waterfowl exhibitions in Michiganâ€. The official notice says until further notice , and that could be better or could be worse than December 31st.
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Sounds like there may be hope yet then John? Or maybe not? I have wrote e mails to my representatives and the Governor stating not only my concerns as an exhibitor but also as a father of 2 4H members. I have passed on the contacts to all our 4H members asking they to write there concerns and voice them. If we all stick together and voice our concerns maybe the State Veterinarian will reconsider and lift the ban. If nothing else it will give the youth a wonderful opportunity to get involved and learn there is something we can do when the government does something you don't agree with.
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Sounds like there may be hope yet then John? Or maybe not?
Maybe and yes. As my friend Matt Boensch said "until further notice" can mean "forever"!
From a news story Mike posted a while ago...“USDA Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. John Clifford said Tuesday that once temperatures reach the 70s, new cases should drop off as the virus doesn't survive well in warmer weather.†(http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-bird-flu-questions-and-answers-20150423-story.html) Yet, according to the press release this ban is thru 12/31/2015…not a practical date like August 31 or the last day of summer. December 31st is as silly as Valentine’s day or Ground Hog day.
I wrote to my state rep and senator on Tuesday.
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I'd be thrilled to have a show in my home state, but I couldn't find any listings for West Virginia shows when we were looking at places to hold a national. Sue, do you know of some that maybe only advertise local but are big enough to accommodate us?
Cape Fear (Smithfield, NC) could probably hold us all, they hosted the RIR nationals a few years ago, but that would be a nearly impossible trip for many of you. :(
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We have a show in Colorado the 23 or 24 of October that has hinted they would like a National Meet. I could feel them out if anyone wanted to come west... It is usually the same weekend as Sedalia, MO. Speaking of which maybe Sedalia? The Malcolm Family will do our best to get to wherever the National is held...
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Same here no matter where it is I am going to try my best to make it. I didn't hatch out over 500 chicks for myself without the intent of showing a few off . But I am not counting Michigan out yet lol. I am spreading the suggestion throughout all the local 4H clubs to start writing letters to congressman.
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No Beth, I don't know of anywhere in particular in WV, I was jsut throwing an idea out, to keep the idea afloat. A friend who has connections, did check for me, that Nebraska is open. It's very Central but the big Fair is in the end of August. I could ask her to see what other states are open as well.
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Poultry Show Central (http://www.poultryshowcentral.com/poultry-show-dates.html) is trying to keep their listing up to date, so that is the place to check for shows.
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WVa is shut down...so is NY...
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http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2015/06/bird_flu_found_in_michigan_gee.html
H5N2 avian influenza was detected in free-ranging Canadian geese in Macomb County, according to the Michigan departments of of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development.
Wild Canada (not Canadian) geese have it? What did they expect? Even us backyard chicken farmers understood the wild waterfowl are the carriers. So, even without reading the entire story I can imagine DNA guys/gals with nothing better to do, out trying to catch wild geese to prove H5N2 is in the state. I keep typing and then deleting what I wrote...I'm told not to call others that when I'm driving, so maybe...boy, they've got my feathers ruffled.
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I am with you John, I am fired up also. To ban all poultry shows and not ban importation of fowl from states with confirmed cases. Then to think the ban will stop the spread when wild migratory birds still migrate. It's enivitable if the almighty wants it in MI or any other state so be it. Let nature run its course and leave it to the exhibitors to choose to show or not to show. After all it's our time, money and livestock not their's. 😡😡😡
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I know each state may have different bans and rules on this, but in Michigan it is on Exhibitions and Expositions. Basically that means no "comingling" of poultry...your birds and my birds can't visit each other. I hear some talking about not selling, because of the ban but Craig's List, local shopping papers and a list of the phone #s of past customers work. The site I like to use to sell my excess chickens on is BestFarmBuys.com (http://www.bestfarmbuys.com/classifieds/category_state.php?category=Poultry+-+Chickens)because it is designed for agriculture. You can still sell and people can still buy.
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Indiana and Ontario are lifting the bans on poultry shows, but with no reason given, Michigan says it has no plans to lift the quarantine. :(
From: The Office of Senator Horn [mailto:SenKHorn@senate.michigan.gov]
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2015 3:24 PM
To: John W Blehm
Subject: RE: Indiana relaxes bird show ban imposed due to avian flu
Dear John,
I contacted the DNR today and asked if the ban was being reconsidered in Michigan. At this time there are no plans to lift the ban.
Sincerely,
Ken Horn
State Senator
The 32nd District
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got the same answer from Pennsylvania